Giving Thanks in the Storm

 “And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭35‬-‭37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “Then Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them, broke it and began to eat. There were 276 people who ate until they were filled, and were strengthened and encouraged.”  Giving thanks is really glorifying God, even after going through the stormy weather.  With the lack of food to eat, Paul gave thanks and fed every one of the passengers and crew members, all two hundred and seventy six of them.  It is likely that God multiplied the bread because no one had eaten for fourteen days being battered about on the storm tossed sea. Paul confidently gave thanks and ate, and all the others had good cheer and ate as well.  Paul lived in the Kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, regardless of outward circumstances.  This is the challenge for all believers in what Christ did on the Cross for each of us, that we should live in the Kingdom of God, whatever be our circumstances.  God has the power to change our sorrow into joy as we learn to surrender to the Holy Spirit.  Thank You, Jesus!

Our Faith Firmly Set on Our Chief Cornerstone

 “therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭28‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Here’s what the Lord God says: “Behold, I set in place in Zion a Foundation Stone, fully tested and proven to be faithful and secure. And written upon this precious cornerstone is this: ‘Those who trust in Him will not act in haste.’”  The Foundation Stone is Christ, set in place in the councils of eternity.  God’s Foundation Stone is His Son, just as it is written: “Be careful! I Am setting in Zion a Stone that will cause people to stumble, a Rock of offense that will make them fall, but believers in Him will not experience shame.””  Now the Son/Stone has become many, as Peter pointed out, “Come and be His “living stones” who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you serve as holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices that He readily accepts through Jesus Christ.”  From these sons/stones, the Father is building us into His holy temple.  Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone on which we rest our faith, because we are those who dwell in Zion’s realm.  Believers, throughout all time, have proven that He is faithful so we will never run away in fear.  Our faith is firmly set upon Christ, is patient and never rushes, for faith leaves the timings of all things in God’s hands.  As Peter said, “Whoever believes in Him will certainly not be disappointed.”  Let’s keep a firm faith on our Chief Cornerstone, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen!

Living a God-Conscious Life

 “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭26‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “But in spite of all this, I have experienced the supernatural help of God up to this very moment. So I’m standing here saying the same thing that I’ve shared with everyone, from the least to the greatest. For I teach nothing but what Moses and the prophets have said was destined to happen: that our Messiah had to suffer and die and be the first to rise from the dead, to release the bright light of truth both to our people and to the non-Jewish nations.” Festus interrupted Paul’s defense, blurting out, “You’re out of your mind! All this great learning of yours is driving you crazy.”  Paul lived a God-conscious life, knowing and having experience of God’s supernatural help, because he trusted God.  So he was bold to declare that Christ is the origin of the resurrection of the dead.  Along with the prophets of old, Simeon too prophesied of Jesus when He was brought to the temple as a baby.  As the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul, Festus interrupted and told him that so much Scripture had made Paul crazy.  The more we speak the wisdom of God, the more people mock with unbelief.  However they couldn’t prove the charges against Paul and Festus and Agrippa agreed that Paul would go to Caeser.  Let’s surrender to the Holy Spirit in our personal relationship with God and be bold in our witness.  Amen!

The Sword of the Lord out of our Mouth

 “In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “In that day, the Lord Yahweh will mercilessly wield his massive, mighty sword and punish leviathan, the swift, slithering serpent. He will slay the dragon of the sea — leviathan, the twisting serpent.”  Leviathan means “coiled” or “contorted” or the crooked serpent, the serpent of confusion which is satan, whose attempt is to always twist and distort God’s Word to deceive humanity.  This massive, mighty and strong sword of the Lord is merciless to the enemies of Christ and is the message of the Cross, which is mighty to save and will thwart every principality and power.  As John the beloved disciple saw, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a Name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”  This is our Lord Jesus Christ, our God with His great and strong sword - the Word of God - which He has given us to come out of our mouth, and be victorious.  Hallelujah!

Standing Before the King of kings

 8 “While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬, ‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “In his defense, Paul said by the Holy Spirit, “I have done nothing wrong. I’ve committed no offense against Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Caesar.” Yet upon investigation I couldn’t find one thing that he has done to deserve the death penalty. When he appealed to His Majesty the emperor, I determined to send him.”  Paul was so filled by the Holy Spirit that even after being in prison for two years, he was able to answer the new governor Festus in place of Felix.  The favour of God was so evident on Paul, that the Roman authorities found nothing to charge him against.  Scripture says “If you are uniquely gifted in your work, you will rise and be promoted. You won’t be held back— you’ll stand before kings!”  Paul was uniquely gifted as an apostle bringing the  revelation of the Word of God with clarity and power and stood before kings because he learned to stand before the King of kings and receive from Him.  Jesus said that those who are His disciples will face persecutions - “But before all these things happen, people will arrest you and do bad things to you. They will judge you in their synagogues and put you in jail. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors. They will do all these things to you because you follow me.“ Let’s know how to conduct ourselves before all manner of authorities because we stand before the King of kings.  Amen!

Absolute Peace for those Whose Imagination is Christ

 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with You; they confidently trust in You. Yes, trust in the Lord Yahweh forever and ever! For Yah, the Lord God, is your Rock of Ages!”  That mind which is stayed on the Lord Jesus Christ, is the imagination that forms and frames what Christ has done personally for us.  Imagination frames up one’s reality.  It is unfortunate that many today have rejected the God-created imagination that each of us possesses.  Our imagination must be set apart for God and continually made holy.  The imagination, both good and evil, is a frequent concept in Scripture.  The concept of God being our Rock speaks of the enduring protection, safety and security we have in Him.  We plant our feet on the Rock and find boldness and confidence.  Throughout every age and season of our lives, God remains the faithful Rock of all Ages!  Let’s cast down vain imaginations, and every high and arrogant thought that raises itself against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought in line with the Word of God and to the obedience of Christ.  Amen!

Believing in Our Resurrection from the Dead in Christ

 “and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “And my hope is in God, the same hope that even my accusers have embraced, the hope of a resurrection from the dead of both the righteous and the unrighteous. That’s why I seek with all my heart to have a clean conscience toward God and toward others. “After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I returned to bring to my people gifts for the poor.” Paul was giving his defence before Felix, the Roman governor in Caesarea, telling of his hope in the resurrection of the dead, which the Jewish high priests were accusing him about of his faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul believed as do we today that Christ is risen from the dead, as the Firstfruits of a great resurrection harvest of those who have died.  Christ, the Firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ in His Presence.  As the mighty Son of God Christ was raised from the dead and miraculously set apart with a display of triumphant power supplied by the Spirit of Holiness. And now Jesus is our Lord and our Messiah.  Paul’s desire, as is ours today, that he might attain the resurrection of the dead.  For this he worked towards a clear conscience as do we believers in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is through the sacred Blood of the Messiah that thoroughly cleanse our consciences! For by the power of the eternal Spirit Christ has offered Himself to God as the perfect Sacrifice that now frees us from our dead works to worship and serve the living God.  Hallelujah!

Death is Defeated in Christ Forever

 “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV

Isaiah prophesied, “It is the gloom of death! He will swallow it up in victory forever! And God, Lord Yahweh, will wipe away every tear from every face. He will remove every trace of disgrace that His  people have suffered throughout the world, for the Lord Yahweh has promised it!”  The gloom of death is like a shroud over every life.  The curse of death is defeated in Christ so that all may come to the rich, joyous feast of the Lord. As Paul said, “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.”  Jesus’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension have brought an endless victory, endless life and the conquest of every enemy.  Now He waits for His sons and daughters to arise and become the second witness to His eternal victory. Paul encourages so powerfully, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”  Let’s believe it.  Hallelujah!

Growing In & Receiving From Christ in our Personal Relationship with Him

 “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “That night our Lord appeared to Paul and stood before him and said, “Receive miracle power. For just as you have spoken for Me in Jerusalem, you will also speak for Me in Rome.”  The Lord Jesus works with His servants and has appeared to them throughout Church history to encourage and give us direction for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.  Here Jesus tells Paul to have courage because it is Paul’s destiny to go to Rome and speak for Him.  Jesus has, through His Word, told us to go into all the world, and preach openly the wonderful news of the Gospel to the entire human race!  Paul took this seriously and obeyed it because his transformation from a Pharisee to an apostle brought him the passion for Christ to obey our Lord Jesus.  The Lord gave Paul many supernatural visions and revelations and Paul’s epistle to the Roman church is foundational in our walk with our Lord Jesus.  So it is that the Lord reveals Himself personally to each one of us who love Him with a passion and obey Him implicitly.  Let’s grow in our personal relationship with our God.  Amen!

The Lord Jesus Christ is Coming Again to Reign

 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “In that day, the Lord Yahweh will punish heaven’s host and the kings of the earth. They will be gathered together and locked up in a prison like prisoners in a pit, and after many days, they will be punished. Then the sun and moon will hang their heads in shame, for Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies, will reign! He will manifest his glory on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, before all her elders!”  Here the high ones are the dark powers in the spirit realm that operate in rebellion to God, who along with the kings of the earth in rebellion to God, will be punished.  When the Lord Jesus Christ our God is unveiled in His Glory-Light, the sun and the moon are nothing compared to Him.  Let’s root out every rebellion against God in our lives and ask Him to teach us His way, and walk and live in His truth.  Let’s ask our heart to fear His Name with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder.  The Lord Jesus is worthy of all glory, honour and praise.  He is coming again to reign as the LORD of Hosts, in Mount Zion in Jerusalem.  Amen!